POETRY. EPILOGUE TO ASSIGNATION. [Vide page 1228.] SPOKEN BY MISS DUNCAN. "What foe to Genius, in an evil hour, "That make-weight threw into the Muse's pow'r "An Epilogue! That extra, useless jest, "Like garnish lavish'd on an ample feast, "Which neither proves it good, nor better drest." Thus cries our fretted author-" Custom, Madam, "Creeps into law among the sons of Adam; "And here, in treating, as in greater places, "The uti possidetis forms a basis; "Else why should we such beaten paths retread, "Why say again the things so often said?" But who so sweetly says-" then, only try :" Her flattery had its charms-for here am I. 'Say, in which character shall I appear? The playful wife, who rails her heart's fond fear? Or sapient dealer in predictions bold, Who only tells you what she first was told? Oh, you would all your fortunes gladly learnWell then, I wave my wand-and now discern A fair horizon there--no stormy traces— Delightful sight! whole rows of happy faces! Eager for mirth, in social pairs ye came, Your hopes, fears, prospects, still thro' life the same: To you I nought can promise, and but pray, Fortune such sweet content may never take away. Thus to survey you, Lords of the Creation, Will you not say--I quit my sex's station? "Tis dangerous looking, Sirs, tho' I'm a spouse, Along the potent circle of your brows; 30 prudence bids me, as the matter stands, More humbly to implore of you your hands: Those hands that bid the trembling Poet live, And to the Patriot nobler plaudits give. Could I in your's my Country's fortune tell, How proudly would I try my strongest spell. Ev'n with the glorious thought my bosom fires, And forms the vision which it most desires.Oh! while you grace the bust of Dead Renown, For Heroes yet to come prepare a crownBritannia's spear inclines not to the grave, But upward points-a magnet to the brave. And ye surrounding fair, with eyes so bright, Ye wou'd not, sure, resort to second sight, When to secure such sight of beauty's throne, I need but bid you well employ your own. Our author wishes I her fate would tell, But oh! 'tis now your turn to cast a spell; This wand has lost its power, and thus I break it, Her fortune I but promise-you can make it. * Want of room, obliges us to defer the insertion of the Prologue and Epilogue to THE CURFEW till our next Number. VERSES BY A LADY ON HER LITTLE GIRL. I love thee, dear Mary, I know not how well, tears. To form thy sweet mind may it still be my part, And to know thou art good, what delight to my heart! When age shall steal o'er me, what joy will it be May thine be the rosiest cheek in the vale; Good sense and sweet temper I value much higher. In winter, when icicles hang all around, Thy voice sweetly soothing the page shall ex pound; Thy dear little hands from the window be spread To call the poor robins to pick up their bread. ELEGIAC LINES WRITTEN ON THE DECEASE OF And has thy gentle spirit wing'd its flight? Then hadst thou triumph'd o'er the fatal tomb. own! New-street, Birmingham, OBSERVANDA EXTERNA. AMERICA. State of Population. In the statistic tables of the United States of America, published in 1805 by M. Blodget, the progress of population, commerce, and industry, is thus stated. Number of inhabi tants, including slaves Capable of bearing arms Sailors 1774 1805 2,486,000 6,280,000 421,300 1,100,000 60,000 6,100,000 5,566,0:1 15d. 26d. 6d. 12d. Expences, civil list, asters and incidents, pi Bank securities in Number of Banks Funded Debt in 1784 improvement had been made in their produ tions. Effect of Criticism. The Society of Sciences and Arts at Moutauban, have proposed among other questions for 1807, the consideration to what degra harsh criticism is injurious to the progress of talent. This subject is of considerable importance to literature, especially if the opinios of our English bard may be taken, that Ten censure wrong, for one who writes amiss : The Council General of the department of the Upper Loire, has lately solicited from the Prefect, the restoration of the ancient tomb of Bertrand du Guesclin, who died during the siege of Chateau-neuf-Radnor, near the town of Puy. The Council General has voted the sum of 3,000 francs to repair this monument, which was erected July 28, 1380. The citizens of Niort, propose a subscription for the purpose of erecting a monument to the memory of Du Plessis Mornay, the loyal and faithful friend of Henry IV. The subscription is 12 francs (half-a-guinea). Prisoners of War. English, Russians, Prussians, Swedes. A letter from Lorraine dated January, 1807, describes the towns in that province as deriv72,237,301 97,232,000 ing considerable advantage from the number CHINA. Vaccination. Sir George Staunton, son of the secretary who accompanied Lord Macartney to China, resides alternately at Canton and Macao. He has translated into the Chinese language a work on Vaccination; a report affirms, that the Chinese at Canton have adopted the practice. Whether this usage will become permanent, or will spread in other parts of this immense empire, time will shew.-(Compare Panorama, p. 978.) FRANCE. Prize Questions. Paris. The distribution of the Prizes on account of the exposition of the productions of French industry, lately took place. The rewards decreed to the manufacturers who had not been rewarded on any former occasion of the like kind, were divided into five classes; 1. Those deserving of gold medals to the number of twenty-six. 2. Those deserving of silver medals of the largest size, to the number of sixty-four. 3. Those who received silver medals of the second size, in number fifty-four. 4. Honourable mentions. 5. Citations. The number of manufacturers present at this fair, was much greater than on former occasions; and the reporter stated that evident The English are fixed at Verdun. have preserved their national character, as well as manners and customs, more tenaciously than the officers of any other nation. They live very much to themselves, and associate bat little with the inhabitants; but as they spend considerable sums, their residence is extremely beneficial to this town, which suffered severely in 1792, and 1793. Metz is the residence of the most part of the Russian officers: many of them are settled in small towns in the neighbourhood. Some of them are very rich, but many are in deep distress. This is the more wonderful, as their appointments are punctually paid; and all of them moreover receive directly, or indirectly, assistance from their court; but gambling ruins most of them. It is almost the only occupation of the officers, whether Russians, English, or Prussians. Nancy, is the principal establishment of the Prussian officers; but as their number is great and surpasses by far that of the prisoners of the other nations, they are divided among sundry of the adjacent towns. These are more familiar among the inhabitants, and best understand the manner of rendering themselves beloved by them. Prince Augustus and many generals are at Nancy; others are expected, whose presence will greatly enliven this city. The Swedish officers, of which there are not many, are at present placed at Luneville. The major part of these officers are perfectly well bred, and appear in every respect to much greater advantage than those of the other nations. Commerce. Bordeaux.-During the fifteen months and ten days previous to January 1, 1807, there have entered into this port 1711 vessels, navigated by 9715 men, and measuring 168,421 tons. There have sailed from hence 1725 vessels, navigated by 10,011 men, and measuring 175,519 tons. Religious Impostors. Mount Cenis.-Not long since, a number of swindlers professing themselves to be religious of the hospital of St. Bernard, on this mountain, perambulated the southern, and other parts of France; also some places in other countries; they solicited charity for the support of the institution, and especially of the buildings. The government has thought it necessary to give notice, that the monks of Mount Cenis never quit their monastery except to assist travellers lost in the snows, or to procure articles with which they cannot be supplied by agency. Vide Panorama, p 734. GERMANY. Theatrical Diversions. The state of public taste for the Theatre in different towns of Germany, may be partly inferred from the profits of benefits lately given in favour of the heirs of Schiller, the poet: at Riga, a city of 35,000 inhabitants, the receipt was 1800 florins, at Hamburgh, a city of 11,000 inhabitants, four times at least as rich as Riga, 800 florins, that is to say, half of an ordinary receipt; at Berlin, a city of 160,000 inhabitants, but few very great fortunes, and no commerce, the receipt was nearly 5,000 florins. Haydn. Towards the end of the month of August, Music suffered a great loss, in the death of John Michael HAYDN, the brother of the famous Joseph Haydn. This professor had consecrated his talents particularly to Church Music. Discovery in Physic. Suabia.-The late M. Stutz, physician at the little town of Gnund, was famous for a new method of treating the tetanus, or those horrible convulsions which prove fatal to great numbers of wounded soldiers. The analogy of a simple fact led M. Stutz to this valuable discovery. M. de Hurmboldt had reported, in his work on the nerves, that in subjecting the nervous fibre to the alternate action of opium and carbonate of pot-ash, it may be made to pass four or five times, from the highest degree of irritability to the state of absolute privation of that power. The method employed by M. Stutz, and adopted with the greatest success in the Austrian Hospitals,' consists in administering the opium and carbonate of pot-ash alternately and internally. Cases have occurred in which 36 grains of opium administered in the space of twentyfour hours, produced no effect; but the alkaline solution being given, 10 grains of opium have afterwards greatly relieved the patient. The German Journals speak highly in praise of this practice; whence it may be thought to be justly entitled to great attention from the faculty. New University. Dusseldorf.-A University is spoken of as likely to be established in this city. The Council of State has already been occupied, during several sittings, on the plan and particu lars of this institution. Astronomical Observations. Munich. The Counsellor Seyffer, during a late eclipse of the sun, made sundry very curious observations on the heights of the mountains of the northern hemisphere of the Moon. These observations have lately been verified by the celebrated astronomer Schreeter of Lilienthal, near Bremen. He determined that the highest of three mountains seen by him, was nine-tenths of a geographical mile in height. It is singular that of the different places in Germany, this should be many observations of this eclipse made in the only attention paid to the Lunar moun tains. tal of Haine. Of his particular observations on Maniacs nothing has transpired. Dr. Gall went from Marburg to Heidelburgh, to confute his opponent, Acherman viva voće; but he was not so happy as to procure even a small number of auditors. HOLLAND. Decline of Commerce. Amsterdam, Jan. 24.-The intire suspension of trade with England presses very heavily already on our merchants, it is to be hoped that a speedy peace may put an end to these rigorous measures; for it is feared that our commerce may not only receive a shock for the present, but that it may even never recover from its losses; especially, if, as is said, the seat of commerce should be removed from this city to another situation. (Compare Panorama, p. 683-916.) Lucca, January 7.-An edict dated December 25, directs that in order to extirpate intirely from these states, that cruel pestilence the Small Pox, three days after this publication, every father of a family shall be bound to report every one of his household who may be taken with the Small Pox, under penalty of 100 livres. Reward for detecting a concealed case of Small Pox, 50 livres; every house in which the Small Pox shall occur, shall be surrounded with soldiers, and all communication with the citizens cut off; whoever attempts to escape, shall be confined forty days; fifteen days after publication of this edict, all children, and other persons who have not had the Small Pox,shall be vaccinated; all children hereafter born, shall be vac cinated within two months from the birth; parents or guardians disobeying this order, to be fined 100 livres, or imprisoned fifteen days, the vaccination to be performed gratis; a gold medal to those members of the faculty who promote this object with most zeal; a case of Small Pox after vaccination will receive 100 livres. Penny Post. Reduction of Priests. Naples, December 30.-The Penny Post is lately established here; it carries letters and parcels three times a day. Report expects a regulation of the Lazaroni; lights in the streets, passages, and stair cases; and porters to the palaces and great houses of the city. The number of Priests is to be reduced to five for each thousand souls. Only sons are to be forbidden from embracing the ccclesiastical life. INDIES (WEST). Character of Dessalines. St. Domingo.-Contracted as our means of information are with regard to what has passed, or is passing in this island, we take advantage of a letter which has appeared in a foreign journal of November 26, 1806, to throw some light on the character of the late emperor of Hayti Dessalines, whose fate we have noticed elsewhere. M. Roulet, a French physician, who had lived many years at St. Jago, in the Spanish part of St. Domingo, was taken prisoner in the last expedition of the Negroes against the city of St. Domingo. As his talents were esteemed, he was soon named first physician to the black army, and in this character he visited all the posts of this people in the Mornes. He afterwards escaped, and arrived safely at St. Domingo; he says the blacks were busy in strongly fortifying all their positions in the mountains; that Dessalines was extremely anxious about European events, that his troops were riotous, his finances disordered, and his subjects discontented. M. Roulet asserts that the massacre of a great number of Spaniards in the church of St. Jago, at the first expedition, and of which he was an eye witness, was ordered by the mulatto Clervaux; who also was the man that shot Father Vasquez, priest of that town. At the fatal moment, this priest summoned his executioner to appear in two months time at the bar of God; Clervaux derided this summons, but at the time prefixed he died, leav ing a strong sensation on the minds of the Negroes. At that time also, Dessalines carried off to the French side of the island, about 2,000 Spaniards of all ages, and both sexes; of these he directed the massacre ; not one escaped. Dessalines had appointed Negro priests in all the parishes, who performed the sacred offices according to their abilities. To pus an end to the dispute which existed in the parish of Port Margot, between Father Sibot and a mulatto priest newly appointed to the same church, he caused that apostolic prefect to be hanged, which struck all the negroes with great horror. M. Roulet adds, that Dessalines was suspected of intending the same fate for the other catholic priests under his dominion. This relation gives some colour to the assertions of those who deprived Dessalines of his life and emperorship. It marks his character as equally impolitic and cruel. NORWAY. Discovery of English Coins About a year ago were discovered at Drentheim, thirty-two pieces of silver coin, struck by Eric, king of Pomerania. Since that time, in the district of Meldalen, near Drontheim, have been found in a bank of sand, between seventy and eighty silver coins, and four or five vases of a beautiful metallic composition, which contained only cendres blue. The coins were of Etherald, king of England. On one of them the device was a cross, and the frontispiece of a temple. They are thought to have been struck about the eleventh century. Éthereld the second was king from 978 to 1016; but if the cross and temple be supposed to allude to the croisades, these coins must be referred to some later monarch. The publication of these coins might be useful to English Antiquaries. RUSSIA. Voyage Round the World [Vide Panorama, p. 167-207. The Petersburgh Gazette of September 25, gives the particulars of the voyage round the world, which has lately been performed by the captains Krusenstern, and Lissanski. The ships the Hadesha and the Neva, left Cronstadt July 26, 1803, under the command of Captain Krusenstern. M. Resanow, chamberlain of the emperor, was charged by government with the commercial conduct of the enterprise. Many other men of learning were on board; also professors of Astronomy and of Natural History. December 21.-The two ships arrived at Brasil, near the Isle of St. Catharine; they sailed February 4, doubled Cape Horn; and in the beginning of June reached Owaiga, one of the Sandwich Islands. From this group the Neva, under the orders of Captain Lissanski, proceeded on its voyage with the cargo intended for the Russian settlements in America, steering for the island of Kadjak, at which she arrived in June. The Nadesha commanded by Captain Krusenstern, in the begining of July entered the port of St. Peter and St. Paul, whence she visited the coasts of Japan; and at her return to Kamschatka, July 26, 1805, M. Resanow took his departure in a vessel belonging to the company, in order to examine and improve the state of the American settlements, especially in respect to their civilization and commerce. The two vessels joined company, December 2, 1805, arrived the 27th at Canton, where they bartered without difficulty the goods they had on board in exchange for Chinese produc tions, and were treated in the most friendly manner by the Chinese governors. They weighed anchor February 10, and passed the straits of Sunda. In their return, the Nadesha put in at St. Helena; the Neva did not touch any where till she came to Portsmouth; she arrived at Cronstadt August 4, and her consort August 19. The Nadesha has not lost a man of her company in the whole voyage; the Neva has lost only two men by death. VOL. I. [Lit. Pan. March, 1807.J SWEDEN. Mild Season. Stockholm. The winter is so mild, that the lakes and rivers are not frozen over sufficiently to admit of being passed over; so that there has hitherto been no opportunity of employing sledges. SPAIN. Vaccination. The Madrid Gazette of October, 1806, gives an account of the return of Dr. Francis Xavier Balmes, surgeon extraordinary to the king of Spain, from a voyage round the world, taken for the sole purpose of conveying the benefits of Vaccination to all the transmarine possessions of the crown of Spain, and other countries in the vicinity. This expedition set out from Corunna in 1803, carrying out twenty-three children who never had the Small Pox, as the means of preserving in due efficacy the Vaccine matter, by successively transmitting it from one to another during the voyage. It stopped at the Canaries, at Porto Rico, and at the Caraccas. In that province it was divided into two branches, one destined for South America, the other for the Havannah and Yucatan. The latter by a sub-division spread Vaccination through New Spain; and uniting again at Vera Cruz, proceeded with twentysix fresh children across the Pacific Ocean to the Philippine Isles, where this salutary dis ease was propagated through all the Islands subject to Spain, and among the natives of the Visayan Archipelago. It thence reached Macao and Canton, where it was successful in bringing the matter in an active state, in which the English practitioners had hitherto failed Dr. Balmis proceeded to Europe in a Portuguese vessel, and touched at St. Helena, where he prevailed upon the English settlers to adopt Vaccination, which they had before neglected, though communicated to them by Dr. Jenner. The branch of the expedition sent to South America, though it underwent shipwreck, was successful in saving the children and the matter in an active state; and spread Vaccination in New Granada, from whence, in March, 1805, it proceeded to Peru. TURKEY, Fire. Constantinople.-A fire in the suburb of Galata has consumed 2,000 houses. The old towers and thick walls, built by the Geroese, when established in these parts, stopped the progress of the flames, which at some periods Createned the arsenal, and even the suburb of Pera. Another fire is said to have consumed 6,000 houses. 2 X |